How to Upgrade to a bigger tank

[bkoo29]

Hey folks,
I recently thought about upgrading to a 60 gallon cube tank. My tank currently is a tall 38 gallon. I have heard alot of horror stories about transferring coral/fish to a bigger tank. I could use any advice coming from successful tank transfer peeps. How do you transfer? Do I have to completely cycle the tank? How long does it take? I have some many questions, so any advice will definitely help me out.

 

[spanky]

If you are planning to use everything from the old tank, then replace the sand with new sand, use about 50 % of your old water and make sure you have plenty of buckets or plastic garbage cans. You can add a small cup or 2 of old sand if you want to issue the same diversity of critters. Only if you are adding new rock , will you have a possible cycle issue. Also make sure the water between tanks have the same temp, PH , and salinty. Also take a good look at your rock, it gives you a chance to remove any unwanted hitchhikers or hair algie. Good luck.

 

[abraha]

Good to hear that you are upgrading. I agree 100% with spanky's advice. My advice is that if you think you want a 60 gal, then go for a 90 gal! Call me or pm me with any specific questions, I'll be happy to help.

 

[bkoo29]

Good to hear that you are upgrading. I agree 100% with spanky's advice. My advice is that if you think you want a 60 gal, then go for a 90 gal! Call me or pm me with any specific questions, I'll be happy to help.

Thanks Marco and Spanky. I am still kinda scared to pull the trigger but I get there is only one way to find out and that is just flat out doing it. I will definitely hit you guys up for some advice during the process. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge. :beer:

 

[fran]

I agree with the guys as I went from a 39 to a 55 to a 120 and I luckily was successful with everything.If you need some help let me know as I would give you a hand if needed.
I have never seen spankys tank but can say Marco's tank is a good looking tank.All you have to do is take your time and do it right.Are you sure a 60 is going to be good enough for a while.I thought that when I went from 39 to 55 but a week later I moved up to 120.I wish I would have went bigger but am happy with it for now.good luck with change out

 

[AJDuran]

I just finished goin from a 30g to a 60 cube but I set the tank up with rock that I had curing for almost a year. Then left the tank running for 1 month and transferred everything over a weekend. I had a small diatom bloom and all is doin well now.

 

[bkoo29]

I just finished goin from a 30g to a 60 cube but I set the tank up with rock that I had curing for almost a year. Then left the tank running for 1 month and transferred everything over a weekend. I had a small diatom bloom and all is doin well now.

Wow! that is awesome. I was wondering if you can list what you used in your tank and maybe some pic of tank, internal or external overflow, sump and what skimmer you are using, oh and lights? do you think 400 watts too much.

 

[AJDuran]

The overflow is basically a PVC elbow in the tank. I have a 30g fuge under the tank and a 36"x16"x20" sump on the side. Skimmer I'm using is an MSX 200. And for lights I have a 250w radium in a lumenmax elite reflector. I don't think 400w is too much just gotta be careful when acclimating corals to the light. I'll try and gets pics tomorrow my sister has my camera.